Nelson Cantrell
Co-Funder & Chief Revenue Officer
While studying economics in San Diego, Nelson was introduced to the maritime industry and quickly grew into roles supporting the local fleet across Southern California. Over the past five years, he has supported numerous DoD contracts for the US Navy, gaining expertise in mine and torpedo recovery, close combat training, war simulations, and unmanned systems training and testing. With a background in the startup tech industry, aerospace and defense, and DoD contracting, Nelson co-founded Safe Harbor Maritime to deliver agile, innovative solutions for an industry being transformed by new technology.
John O’Shea
Co-Funder & Chief Technology Officer
John O’Shea is the Co-Founder and CTO of Safe Harbor Maritime LLC, with over a decade of experience operating vessels along the North American coastline. After earning his degree from The Ohio State University, he moved to San Diego to begin his career in the marine industry, specializing in yacht systems and commercial fishing. He holds a 100-Ton USCG Masters License. John has supported the U.S. Navy’s unmanned surface vehicle (USV) programs, serving as a lead chase boat captain and conducting operational towing and mission-specific data collection. He helped design a USV/ASV chase boat operator training course for Safe Harbor Maritime and has worked with a Fortune 500 defense contractor and the U.S. Navy to refine USVs for mine-countermeasure missions. His most recent work is with a DoD contractor focused on testing autonomous systems, including ASVS, USVs, UASS, and UAVs, to enhance the Navy’s unmanned warfare capabilities.
Adam Walczak
Co-Funder & Chief Operations Officer
As a Buffalo, New York native, Adam Walczak developed his maritime passion on the Great Lakes boating with his father. Now, as COO of Safe Harbor Maritime, he leads the execution of government and civilian maritime contracts with a disciplined, mission-focused approach.
Holding a USCG 100 Ton Near Coastal Masters License, Adam has decades of on-water experience, including key roles in Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) testing off Southern California. His expertise in USV operations, risk mitigation, and asset support enhances Safe Harbor Maritime’s capabilities in dynamic environments.
Adam co-founded Safe Harbor Maritime to modernize an industry he believes has remained stagnant for too long. Focused on cost effective efficiency and innovation, he integrates advanced strategies to overhaul asset support operations. As a client liaison, he ensures clear communication, operational integrity, and mission success, reinforcing Safe Harbor Maritime as a trusted industry leader.
Jonathan S. Marcus
Board of Advisor
Jon has a lifelong passion for Biological and Computer systems. Jon graduated from UCSB in 1995 with a B.S. in Biology focussing on complex biological systems and then continued his passion for computer systems at CSUN in 1998.
He started his career in the maritime industry in 2000 as a software engineer in the sonar & acoustics domain focussed on efficiently integrating multi-sensor solutions on vehicles and platforms while creating optimized graphical interfaces to provide the best user experience. From there Jon worked as Director of R&D where he led multi-disciplinary teams to success for many years and helped launch cutting edge sensor and software solutions for the maritime market, including commercial and defence applications.
Jon has also held several leadership positions including VP Global Service & Support for 10 years where he managed global teams with demanding timelines while developing an efficient 24/7 real time support system to give clients rapid responses.
Jon has also served in a Sales role for several global suppliers of maritime technology with a focus on aligning customer needs with available technology, discovering new markets, and creating new product ideas.
Jorge R Alcazar “Pumba”
Board of Advisor
Retired Naval Special Warfare Veteran with 25 years of Advanced Technology Development, Training and Program Management focusing on Unmanned System integration of surface, subsea, and aerial assets.
US Fleet Forces Joint Special Operations Training Lead managed Pacific/Atlantic Fleet Forces Staff, SOCOM, Carrier Air Wing Staff and Commodore Force to meet Training Requirements.
Qualified in Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) systems and group 1-4 Unmanned Aerial systems Executed Multiple Joint SOF Advanced Technology Aerial, Maritime and Ground systems operations during campaigns in Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, Turkey, Israel and South America Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Bachelors of Science in Aeronautical Science, Unmanned Systems